Walnut Creek is home to a variety of non-profit entities that provide valuable services and programs to our community. We hope you were among the hundreds of people who joined the Mayor on the 2nd Saturday of each month to go behind the scenes at some of our local non-profits with tours and presentations.

Thank you to all of the local organizations that helped make the 2019 "2nd Saturday Spotlight" program such a success.

SPOTLIGHT VISITS:

NOVEMBER: Behind the scenes at Trinity Center and the under construction St. Paul's Commons apartments. The hard hat tour showed what will be just around the corner for local community members in need of affordable housing. Trinity Center's Donna Columbo also shared the Center's services and vision.

OCTOBER: Community Service Day - Thank you to the hundreds of Walnut Creek residents who donated their time and talents to enhancing our community!

SEPTEMBER: Thank you to those who visited our Emergency Preparedness Fair -- and thank you to our partners from CERT, Contra Costa County Fire, the American Red Cross and PG&E.

AUGUST: Thank you to those who visited our Public Works Corp Yard, and learned how we keep things moving in Walnut Creek.

JULY: Walnut Creek Garden Stroll -- a tour of the Gardens at Heather Farm and the Ruth Bancroft Garden.

JUNE: Thank you to the staff of the Walnut Creek Historical Society that hosted a Living History Tour at Shadelands Ranch.

MAY: Thank you to John Muir Health staff for a wonderful behind the scenes tour at the Walnut Creek Medical Center. Thank you also to the wonderful Rancho San Miguel neighbors who opened their doors and offered a tour of their unique Eichler homes.

APRIL: Shell Ridge Open Space and Lake Lakewood Neighborhood

The Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation hosted our April tour through Shell Ridge, providing guests with the stories that made the area come alive for our hike. Following the April 2nd Saturday Spotlight, neighbors who live in the Lake Lakewood area shared the unique history of their community, and its role in enabling the Open Space to be preserved for generations to come.

MARCH: Meals on Wheels and Walnut Creek Senior Services

You have probably heard of "Meals on Wheels," but do you know what it takes to operate an organization that serves nearly 10,000 residents throughout Contra Costa County each year? Participants in March's 2nd Saturday Spotlight got a glimpse of the enormous amount of work that goes into coordinating meal preparation and delivery, as well as other programs managed by Meals on Wheels Diablo Region. Thank you to those who joined us for our "virtual" walk of the neighborhood, followed by a visit to The Arroyo.

FEBRUARY: Lesher Center for the Arts

Dozens of Walnut Creek residents were treated to a backstage tour of the Lesher Center, finding out what it takes to put on a production of any size and type. Thank you to the Lesher Center staff for a wonderful opportunity. Participants also got a chance to visit the Bedford Gallery.

JANUARY: Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF)

Thank you to the team at ARF who let us go behind the scenes to see how the operation is managed, and to meet some incredible four-legged friends. If you aren't familiar with the history of ARF, it is worth seeing how it all began, with an unexpected visitor to the Oakland Coliseum back in 1990 during a game between the A's and the Yankees. If you have a few minutes, watch this video online to see how a feline named Evie captured the heart of Tony La Russa.

After the tour, residents from the nearby Woodlands neighborhood led a group walking tour of their community, and shared the history and development of the area.